Upcoming Events and More News 10/2/2026 Posted on October 2, 2026October 2, 2026 10/3 – NAMI Walks San Mateo County – Walk for Mental Health NAMI is hosting their annual Walk for Mental Health on Saturday October 3, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Coyote Point Park in San Mateo. NAMI has an important mission that is aligned with BHRS – to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families affected by mental illness and help others understand mental illness. At the link here, you can individually donate and share the BHRS team link with your network to raise funds. The event is free to attend and no matter how you are able to participate, you’ll contribute to increasing mental health awareness. 10/15 – Global Peer Support Day The BHRS Office of Consumer and Family Affairs and One New Heartbeat, Inc. are hosting the 2026 Global Peer Support Celebration Day on October 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Chan Zuckerberg Community Space. This special event honors the meaningful contributions of Peer and Family Peer Supporters across San Mateo County. Throughout the event, we will explore the many ways peer support promotes wellness, resilience, advocacy, healing and belonging through interactive sessions, shared stories and opportunities to connect with others who are passionate about the power of peer support. Please RSVP by October 10, 2026, to confirm your attendance. 10/21 – Housing Heroes Awards Join us for the 19th annual Housing Hero Awards on Wednesday October 21, 2026, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the Redwood Shores Library Community Room in Redwood City. The Housing Hero Awards honors our community partners and colleagues who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in providing and/or maintaining housing for San Mateo County residents with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues. More News: BHRS Director Dr. Jei Africa has been presented with the Outstanding Service to Division VII award from the California Psychological Association for going above and beyond in his service to the Division, its mission, and social-justice related topics. Jei has been awarded, “for his devoted years of service to Division VII. He was the previous 2024 Diversity Delegate to CPA’s executive board, helped spearhead CPA’s first walk in the SF Pride Parade, brought the concept of doing a Land Acknowledgements to CPA Speakers during presentations, and was integral in creating the Division VII student awards beginning in 2024. Dr. Africa’s commitment to social-justice shows in his work in the community as the San Mateo County Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services where he has increased outreach to underserved communities and expanded-care for justice-involved individuals.” Congratulations, Jei! Fostering Wellness Program Accepting Volunteers and Referrals The Fostering Wellness Program is accepting volunteers and referrals. The program, which is a partnership between Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) and Public Health Policy and Planning (PHPP), provides temporary pet foster care through a network of volunteer foster homes. About the program: Provides temporary care (up to 90 days) for pets while owners receive medical or behavioral health treatment. Please note that a client must be connected to a San Mateo County program or county contracted program. A network of safe, trustworthy and vetted volunteer foster homes has been built. Offers owners peace of mind to seek a higher level of treatment while animal companions are well cared for. Love animals? Want to make a difference in someone’s life? We’re recruiting foster care volunteers for 30-90 days. Visit smchealth.org/fostering-wellness for more information. Providers and case managers can refer a client via the referral form. For questions about the program, email fosteringwellness@smcgov.org. Regional Co-Responder Symposium The Sheriff’s Office Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), a co-responder unit that pairs Sheriff’s Office detectives with licensed mental health clinicians from BHRS to de-escalate and respond to community mental health crises, hosted the first ever Regional Co-Responder Symposium in September. The event brought together co-responder teams from across San Mateo County and neighboring counties, and included sessions led by PERT and subject matter experts retired Lt. Glenn Albin and Tammy McCoy-Arballo. The day ended with a consultation group facilitated by PERT, giving teams an opportunity to connect, learn from one another and work through shared challenges. The symposium provided a valuable space to exchange knowledge, best practices, strengthen partnerships and enhance co-response efforts throughout our communities. California Releases Guidance on New Federal Public Charge Rule Update from the Department of Health Care Services: On September 18, the federal government’s new Public Charge Rule took effect. Public charge is a test that immigration officials use to decide whether a noncitizen is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support. It can apply when some immigrants seek entry to the United States or apply for a green card. It does not apply to most immigrants already in the United States. The California Health and Human Services Agency released resources explaining the new rule, including what it means and how it may affect individuals and families. New Video! Residential Substance Use Treatment for Women in San Mateo County If you or someone you know is seeking substance use treatment, BHRS is here to help. San Mateo County partners with community-based organizations to provide residential substance use treatment for women. Every program staff member shares a common bond: lived experience and a deep understanding of the journey to recovery. These programs provide a supportive foundation where woman can reclaim their independence and redesign their future. Watch to hear their stories. To learn more about residential programs, call BHRS Alcohol and Other Drug Services at (650) 802-6400.